Category Archives: Subaru Review

On April 4th, the US production version of the 2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek™ made its debut at the New York International Auto show.

The XV Crosstrek™ is a right-sized crossover for all of life’s adventures. With its 8.7″ ground clearance, 17-inch all-season tires, and integrated roof rails, it looks like it’s ready for anything. And with its Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, 33 MPG* hwy and SUBARU BOXER® engine, it is.

The New York International Auto Show is open to the public from April 6-15. If you’re in the area, come by and see the XV Crosstrek™ on display at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Subaru will be going it alone on its first hybrid-powered vehicles, a new report finds. It was thought that Subaru would lean on corporate partner Toyota for its hybrid technology, but a Subaru executive says that will not be the case.

Toyota purchased an 8.7 percent stake in Subaru back in 2005, which was expected to lay the groundwork for a hybrid partnership between the two. However, an un-named Subaru executive has revealed to just-auto that the company will not be borrowing Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology.

Instead, Subaru engineers will develop their own hybrid system. Unlike Toyota’s HSD, Subaru’s system will be based on a mild system like those used by Hondaand General Motors. Although that means Subaru’s hybrid vehicles won’t be able to operate in electric only mode, they will use a small electric motor to aid in vehicle acceleration which will boost overall fuel economy.

Subaru’s hybrid technology will likely bow in 2013 in the company’s Legacy model. The hybrid Legacy is expected to first launch in Japan, but Subaru has plans to quickly bring the green technology to the United States. It remains unclear, though, if Subaru’s first hybrid application for the U.S. would be the Legacy or another vehicle like the Forester crossover. Whatever the case, look for Subaru’s first hybrid to retain the company’s signature boxer engine and all-wheel drive.

The highly anticipated rear-drive sports coupe has the right stuff for great handling.

For an automaker that has made its name building all-wheel-drive cars, Subaru has caused a lot of buzz at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Showwith a rear-drive model. It helps that it’s the long-awaited sports car jointly developed with Toyota, which will sell it as the Scion FR-S. Subaru claims credit for the engineering of the car, with each company doing its own fine tuning and, of course, exterior and interior design.

Subaru engineers begin by emphasizing how they have created a sports car with a eye toward getting the center of gravity as low as possible and minimizing the polar moment of inertia. This is not a sports-car version of the Impreza, though that car was used as a reference point for the BRZ. Engineers were also going for light weight, the target some 2770 lb.

2013 Subaru BRZ

Let’s start with the engine, which is similar but not identical to the 2.0-liter flat-4 in the Impreza. Some might remember when developing 100 horsepower/liter was race car stuff, but Subaru does it with the BRZ, 200 bhp at 7000 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque between 6400–6600 rpm, though with strong torque numbers lower down the rev range. Inside the direct-injected engine are square 86-mm dimensions for bore and stroke, chain-driven camshafts and a compression ratio set at 12.5:1. The exhaust system has been designed to amplify the good noises when needed, but quiet down for cruising.

As part of the engine design, some of its external pieces were created so the powerplant could be located well rearward and low, part of that low center of gravity exercise. The transmissions were also reworked to minimize size and maximize placement and, thankfully, the BRZ gets a real transmission instead of the Impreza’s CVT. Asked if there was any way to adapt the expected Subaru all-wheel drive to the BRZ, we were told it’s not possible as the lower, more rearward engine placement would mean the front driveshafts would have to sprout from the engine’s sides. Then again, we were told the engine’s position makes it difficult to do a turbocharged version, but we’d bet good money there will be one.

2013 Subaru BRZ

Power spins to a Torsen limited-slip differential, backed with a double wishbone suspension that has some Impreza roots. At the front are MacPherson struts, while the steering has electric assist, a ratio of 13.0:1 and a tilt and telescope wheel. The disc brakes are inside 17-in. wheels with 215/45R-17 tires.

Subaru proudly points out the BRZ’s center of gravity is lower than aFerrari 458 Italia’s, and its polar moment of inertia is lower than that of a Porsche Cayman S, achieved with the help of short body overhangs front and rear, and a radiator tilted rearward to minimize height. That 2770-lb. weight target was also a concern, leading to an aluminum hood and high-strength steel in the roof.

2013 Subaru BRZ

It’s a spiffy-looking car, with good fender muscles and a Zagato-ish double-bubble roof profile, which adds interior height and body stiffness. Naturally, the shape has been optimized for downforce and low drag. European versions will have a drag coefficient of 0.27, while ours will be a bit higher.

Inside is a rather simple (not plain) interior, the 3-gauge cluster with a tachometer at its center (there’s also a digital speedometer in that central dial). The seats’ H-point was also set lower than usual and those seats will be covered with cloth or leather/Alcantara. The BRZ is billed as a 2+2 and we can’t wait to try the back seats. Honest.

2013 Subaru BRZ

Wanting to encourage their owners to use their BRZ for more than commuting—and likely taking note of the Mazda Miata culture—Subaru has designed the BRZ so that with the rear seats folded it can carry four tires, a helmet and a few tools for gymkhana fans. You can even install a rollcage without major modifications. Or, for the less adventuresome, a pair of golf bags.

We can expect to see BRZs in the U.S. around May with prices starting roughly in the neighborhood of $25,000, including a nav system with a 6.1-in. display.

1. Concept
Exquisitely balancing the enjoyment of driving wîth environmental friendliness, the car, under its product concept of ‘Revolutionary Sports Tourer’, embodies Subaru’s theme of ‘Confidence in Motion’. This C-§egmènt class car was developed as a new-generation sports wagon providing both superior driving performance and utility. It features an innovative exterior design not found in conventional wagon models and expert wagon utility Subaru has cultivated over the years.

The well established sports power unit, the Horizontally-Opposed Subaru Boxer engine, is now wîth direct fuel injection. This highlight mixed wîth Subaru’s downsizing concept and original Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) expertise has enabled Subaru to make considerate progress on its unique Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) technology. An even sportier drivability and advanced environmental friendliness are both attainable in this new conceptcar.

2. Design and PackagingExterior Design
• Subaru’s brand statement ‘Confidence in Motion’ is portrayed in the outward design as well. The dynamic yet sleek look promises an enthusiastic drive, while the cabin offers all the usability of a C-§egmènt wagon.
• A flowing line on the side surfaces augments the stylish design calling to mind a coupe style car.

Interior Design
• In pursuit of Subaru’s human-centered philosophy, all passengers are assured a safe and pleasant ride in a comfortable and quality interior.
• An entire roof made of glass adds to the spacious feel. Various textures such as wood and metal are incorporated into the inside layout to produce ample ambiance.
• A large monitor is built into the §teering wheel allowing access to maps, television and internet services.
Information will be available at hand to support contemporary lifestyles even in the car.

3. Mechanisms
(1) Next-Generation Power Únit System– Downsized direct fuel injection turbo engine –
• The downsized direct fuel injection turbo engine is one of the principal technologies that will guide Subaru’s engine strategy in the future. Not only is acceleration quick and smooth wîth the new-generation Horizontally-Opposed engine, it is environmentally friendly. The direct fuel injection system which injects necessary amounts of fuel into the cylinders at appropriate moments, and a turbo system which efficiently supplies large amounts of air into the cylinders, along wîth the downsizing of current turbo engine displacements (2,500cc and 2,000cc) to 1,600cc drastically improve combustion efficiency at practical driving-speed range compared to the existing turbo engine.

Vital Stats

Engine : 1.6 L., 4-cylinder

– High torque compatible Lineartronic (CVT) –
• Lineartronic is Subaru’s continuously variable transmission device designed for the new era. It is the world’s first longitudinally-mounted chain drive CVT to be utilized in mass-produced AWD passenger cars. For the concept car, the Lineartronic was refined to satisfy the high-power output turbo engine.

– Hybrid system –
• Subaru’s original hybrid system has been developed to harmonize wîth the Symmetrical AWD
technology, another one of its specialties, and to further enhance its appeal. A single motor system was employed for its simple structure and light weight.
• This system has an Electric Vehicle (EV) mode which allows AWD motion using only the motor at start-ups and low-speed drives. When decelerating, the regenerating mechanism uses the motor as a power generator.

(2) EyeSight
Subaru’s advanced driving assist system EyeSight (Version 2), well received since its release in May 2010, has made further progress. The recognition range of the stereo camera has expanded considerably, both in width and depth.

The Subaru BRZ media fest continues with the reveal of the BRZ STI Concept ahead of its LA Auto Show debut.

Looking remarkably similar to the Scion FR-S concept it does have a more production-ready finish, with modest wheels (215/45/18 tires up front and 225/45/18 in the rear) and a believable rear diffuser. Compared to leaked photos of the FT-86, there are unique fender vents and it’s hard to miss the massive rear spoiler. While just the one rear-angle photo has been released Subaru promises the front end design gets a hexagonal front grille and hawk eye headlights, instantly distinguishing it as a Subie. And in true Subaru fashion it gets a version of the company’s trademark WR blue paint, called WR Blue Pearl II. One area that isn’t painted is the roof, with an exposed carbon fiber weave that further reduced the car’s already impressive center of gravity.

Rather than the turbocharged engine many are expecting, this STI makes use of the same naturally aspirated 2.0-liter boxer 4-cylinder with direct-injection, which on the FT-86/FR-S is touted to deliver 197-hp. To give an idea of just how incredible a handling machine this is, Subaru says that compared to other cars in its lineup the engine is located 4.7-inches lower to the ground and 9.4-inches closer to the center of the chassis.

Subaru has never been afraid to “zig” when the competition “zags.” Many things about Subaru are, well, different. With their “boxer” horizontally-opposed engines, standard all-wheel drive, and lineup of station wagons, they don’t have a history of just copying the competition. This is why it was not such a shock when Subaru first announced their new and improved Impreza with a smaller and less powerful engine, while most manufacturers boast about having more power with each redesign.

That’s right. The new Impreza dropped from 170 to 148 hp for 2012. Fortunately, you may never miss those 22 ponies due to other changes that Subaru made. First, while not any smaller, the new car is lighter. Second, and more importantly, the Impreza finally ditched the old four-speed automatic transmission in favor of a CVT. The greater assortment of gear ratios helps both performance and fuel economy. (See our Impreza preview.)

Another place where Subaru has bucked current trends is actually making the new car better. Sounds strange, but as we’ve seen lately from Honda and Volkswagen, some new models don’t quite measure up to the outgoing designs in terms of fit and finish or handling. Compared to the 2011 Impreza, the 2012 has a nicer interior with soft-touch padding on the dashboard and doors. And while the new model is roomier and boasts better fuel economy, handling actually feels more responsive than the outgoing model. Plus, the excellent ride has been retained.

As for the turbocharged WRX and WRX STi, they will remain on the older platform for a few more years.

First impressions are positive, but we will have to wait until the Impreza goes on sale in November to purchase one for our test program. I have a feeling that is will be a favorite around our Connecticut test facility when the snow comes!